7th Newsletter
Developments theme Domestic
Violence and Child Abuse
Dear Reader,
You are receiving the seventh newsletter, and the second of this year, from the Public Entity Bonaire on the Administrative Agreement on Domestic Violence and Child Abuse (HGKM).
Agreements have been made to address HGKM across five pillars, outlined in said Administrative Agreement. This newsletter provides key developments for each pillar. Feel free to forward the newsletter to your colleagues.
We wish you much reading pleasure!
Pillar 1. Prevention
Theme “Papia ku amor” of the working group Tei p’abo
With the theme “Papia ku amor” (speak with love), Tei p’abo follows the theme that has been addressed during the past two years in the Week against Child Abuse.
We zoom in on arguments in different age groups. How do you handle arguments and make up? The first video in which elementary school children were asked how they deal with arguments is online on Facebook and Instagram:
https://www.facebook.com/rijksdienst.nederland/videos/1080003869726362/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6KOSVZxb7c/
Based on this video, posts were made on social media in May with questions for parents:
– Do you know how your child reacts to arguing and do you ever talk about it?
– What does your child find difficult at school?
– How do you help your child when he or she is involved in an argument?
In the program “Keda Informá” of Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland, the topic of discussion is how we can communicate well with each other. In this program two professionals from Akseso and the Guardianship Council (Voogdijraad) speak: https://soundcloud.com/rijksdienstcn/keda-informa-tei-pa-bo-papia-ku-amor?si=e52cfc0b9c404f818f9d7da7dd0c19db&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Soon more interviews with professionals will appear on social media about arguing and resolution.
Pillar 2. Capacity building
There are numerous ways to enhance capacity-building. We summarize them briefly below.
HGKM module in MBO Training for the Pedagogical Staff in Daycare Centers
In February, March and April, the 2nd year BOL-students of the MBO training Pedagogical Staff in Daycare Centers level 3 and 4 were taught how to identify and discuss HGKM. This is a follow-up to the pilot module HGKM, which started last school year at the MBO.
The students completed the module with a certificate. Masha pabien!
This all came about through collaboration with BES(t) 4 Kids and domestic violence and child abuse trainers from OLB, Probation Department, Practical Support GPs and Care and Youth (HGKM trainers).
The cooperating partners want to achieve that the pedagogical staff learns to better recognize situations of domestic violence and child abuse, can discuss this with the parents and seek help together, if necessary.
Attention officers HGKM
A total of 16 employees from primary and secondary education, child and after-school care, and (social) support workers completed their six-day attention officer training on June 12. Every organization has an attention officer who acts as a sparring partner for colleagues when it comes to HGKM.
Another training will be scheduled in the second half of the year. You can register at hendrina.garretsen@bonairegov.com.
Pillar 3. Chain collaboration
Meeting Guiami en Tabitha
On Thursday, May 23, a meeting took place between all employees of the Advisory and Registration Center HGKM Guiami and the women’s shelter Refugio Tabitha of Krusada to reflect on the cooperation and to come to agreements with each other with regard hereto.
For several years, Guiami and Tabitha have been working together when it comes to placement of victims of domestic violence and child abuse. On January 1, 2025 the legislation will change (is foreseen). The legal tasks of the advisory and registration center will then be statutory. We will also start working with the Protection Code, which is now a step-by-step plan for domestic violence and child abuse.
With these legislative changes in hand as well, we have discussed the work processes from the moment of placement to the end of placement and everything that is involved. These are now being developed into collaboration agreements.
Family Justice center (FJC)
For the construction of the Family Justice Center (FJC), the renovation of the existing building of the Sentro di Bario Antriol Pabou on Kaya Gatu is underway. Fundashon Cas Bonairiano, appointed by the Public Entity of Bonaire, is responsible for managing this construction.
Construction work is currently underway. It is planned that the building shell will be ready by the end of 2024. Then the interior and exterior decoration will have to be done before the building can be put into use.
The FJC aims to streamline assistance by enabling individuals to share their story only once, ensuring safe and efficient support for adults, youth, and children experiencing domestic violence and child abuse.
As a collaborative center, the FJC will bring together various professionals to deliver optimal support and assistance to individuals affected by domestic violence or child abuse.
Pillar 4. Reporting structure
The Advisory and Registration Center HGKM Guiami became a part of Akseso since January 1, 2022.
Akseso’s final website is in the works. At this time, the website is only available in Dutch.
Guiami’s dedicated website is www.meldpuntguiami.com.
For inquiries, they can be reached via telephone at 0802 0802.
Pillar 5. Legal Framework
Protection Code:
When it comes to suspecting, reporting, discussing, and seeking help for HGKM, a legal framework now applies to the BES islands. The previously mentioned implementation date of January 1, 2024, has been postponed to July 1, 2024. The new law addresses three additional issues in addition to the Protection Code:
1. Definitions: Establishing definitions relevant to the BES islands;
2. Legal responsibilities of the Advisory and Registration Center HGKM and shelter for victims of HGKM;
3. The right to report.
An implementation plan template for the introduction of the Protection Code is currently under development for organizations to utilize in the near future. Training sessions and informational materials will also be provided to all stakeholders and citizens involved. Stakeholders were invited to information sessions in November 2023 to gather insights on the need for assistance in implementing the Protection Code. Further afternoon sessions were scheduled for March 11 and 12, 2024.
Temporary Restraining order
The aim of this pilot is to voluntarily restore peace within families affected by HGKM while providing assistance during the duration of the temporary restraining order.
In October 2023, discussions were conducted with involved stakeholders to formulate a shared vision. Subsequently, professionals were interviewed throughout January and February. These discussions and interviews are currently being compiled into a report. It is anticipated that on March 21, the analysis of these discussions and interviews will be presented to stakeholders, along with a proposed technical assistance work process for validation. Upon approval of this work process, the pilot can commence.
Ultimately, recommendations will be provided regarding the feasibility and necessity of implementing a legal measure for temporary restraining orders in the Dutch Caribbean. Additionally, an (online) training program will be developed for employees involved in implementing the temporary restraining order.
Organizations involved
